Sieving apparatuses for pupae separation

ABSTRACT

A sieving apparatus for separating insect pupa is described. In an example, the sieving apparatus includes a sieving device attached to an actuation system. The sieving device includes a set of openings sized to correspond to a cross-sectional cephalothorax width of a representative pupa of a population of insect pupae to be separated. The actuation system is configured to move the sieving device in a manner that causes smaller insect pupae to pass through the set of openings. Larger insect pupae remain within the sieving device. Such movement can include moving the sieving device with respect to a liquid held in a basin of the sieving apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/154,656, entitled “Sieving Apparatuses for Pupae Separation,”filed Oct. 8, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/945,851, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,251,380, entitled“Sieving Apparatuses for Pupae Separation,” filed Apr. 5, 2018, which isa divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/467,152, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,992,983, entitled “Sieving Apparatuses for Pupae Separation,”filed Mar. 23, 2017, which are incorporated by reference in theirentireties herein.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a sieve can be formed of a wire or plastic mesh held in aframe. The sieve can be used for straining solids from liquid or forseparating coarser objects from finer objects.

Among those objects that can be separated are insects. Other deviceshave been designed to separate insects such as a device that includesparallel glass plates. The reasons for separating insects are various.For example, as part of a Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) program, maleinsects may be separated from female insects. Depending on the program,separation may be performed at one or more stages of insect development.For example, insects having an aqueous pupal stage may be separatedwhile in the pupal stage.

Use of conventional mesh screens to separate pupae may create challengesgiven the physiological structures of the pupae. Additionally, use ofdevices including parallel glass plates may create challenges giventheir difficulty to operate and required user interaction. Thesechallenges may result in prohibitively low throughput and similarly lowyield.

SUMMARY

Various examples are described relating to sieving devices, systemsincluding the sieving devices, methods for using the sieving devices,and methods for forming the sieving devices.

In an example, an apparatus is described. The apparatus includes aframe. The apparatus also includes a sieving device including: anadjustable sieve surface including a first side and a second side, wherea set of openings is formed in the adjustable sieve surface to define aset of pathways extending between the first side and the second side,individual openings of the set of openings defined by: a lengthdimension measured along a longitudinal axis of a respective opening anda width dimension measured along a transverse axis of the respectiveopening, the length dimension greater than the width dimension. Theapparatus also includes a sieve rim defining an interior volume, theadjustable sieve surface is attached to the sieve rim with the firstside of the adjustable sieve surface exposed to the interior volume. Theapparatus also includes a basin attached to the frame and sized toreceive the sieving device and to retain a liquid. The apparatus alsoincludes an actuation system attached to the frame and the sievingdevice. The actuation system is configured to move the sieving devicebetween a first position within the basin and a second position withinthe basin. The second position is different than the first position.Moving the sieving device between the first and second positionseparates a population of pupae within the liquid based on cephalothoraxsize.

In another example, an apparatus is described. The apparatus includes aframe. The apparatus also includes a sieving container including a baseand a perimeter wall encircling the base to form an interior volume ofthe sieving container. The perimeter wall is fixedly coupled to thebase. The base defines a set of openings that enable movement of insectsthrough the set of openings from the interior volume of the sievingcontainer. The apparatus also includes a basin attached to the frame.The basin is sized to receive the sieving container and to retain aliquid. The apparatus also includes an actuation system attached to theframe and the sieving container. The actuation system is configured tomove the sieving container. Moving the sieving container separates apopulation of insects present in the interior volume based oncephalothorax width.

In another example, an apparatus is described. The apparatus includes aframe. The apparatus also includes a sieving container including a base.The base includes a first sieve surface, where a first set of openingsis formed in the first sieve surface so as to define a first set ofpathways extending between a first side of the first sieve surface and asecond side of the first sieve surface. The base also includes a secondsieve surface, where a second set of openings is formed in the secondsieve surface so as to define a second set of pathways extending betweena third side of the second sieve surface and a fourth side of the secondsieve surface. The base also includes an alignment structure configuredto connect the second side of the first sieve surface and the third sideof the second sieve surface and enable movement of at least one of thefirst sieve surface or the second sieve surface with respect to theother sieve surface. The sieving container also includes a sieve rimincluding a perimeter wall encircling the base and coupled to the base,the perimeter wall defining an interior volume. The apparatus alsoincludes an actuation system attached to the frame and the sieve rim,the actuation system configured to move the sieving container in mannerthat separates a population of pupae within the interior volume based oncephalothorax size.

The illustrative examples are mentioned not to limit or define the scopeof this disclosure, but rather to provide examples to aid understandingthereof. Illustrative examples are discussed in the DetailedDescription, which provides further description. Advantages offered byvarious examples may be further understood by examining thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more certain examples and,together with the description of the example, serve to explain theprinciples and implementations of the certain examples.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sieving apparatus, accordingto at least one example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a sieving device for use in thesieving apparatus from FIG. 1, according to at least one example.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a sieve surface, according to at leastone example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the sieve surface from FIG. 3,according to at least one example.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an example mosquito pupa that can beseparated using a sieving device as described herein, according to atleast one example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a profile view of an example mosquito pupa that canbe separated using a sieving device as described herein, according to atleast one example.

FIG. 7 illustrates a profile view of an example mosquito pupa that canbe separated using a sieving device as described herein, according to atleast one example.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a mosquito pupa passing through anopening of a sieve surface, according to at least one example.

FIG. 9 illustrates a mosquito pupa aligned in a first orientation withrespect an opening, according to at least one example.

FIG. 10 illustrates a mosquito pupa aligned in a second orientation withrespect an opening, according to at least one example.

FIG. 11 illustrates a mosquito pupa aligned in a first orientation withrespect an opening, according to at least one example.

FIG. 12 illustrates a mosquito pupa aligned in a second orientation withrespect an opening, according to at least one example.

FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed view of an example state of the sievingapparatus from FIG. 1, according to at least one example.

FIG. 14 illustrates a detailed view of an example state of the sievingapparatus from FIG. 1, according to at least one example.

FIG. 15 illustrates a detailed view of an example state of the sievingapparatus from FIG. 1, according to at least one example.

FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed view of an example state of the sievingapparatus from FIG. 1, according to at least one example.

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of an example state of the sievingapparatus from FIG. 1, according to at least one example.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example process for separating a population ofpupae based on size, according to at least one example.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example process for separating a population ofpupae based on size, according to at least one example.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example computer system, according to at leastone example.

FIG. 21A illustrates a top view of an example sieve surface, accordingto at least one example.

FIG. 21B illustrates a first detailed view of the sieve surface of FIG.21A, according to at least example.

FIG. 21C illustrates a second detailed view of the sieve surface of FIG.21A, according to at least example.

FIG. 22A illustrates an adjustable sieve surface in a first state,according to at least one example.

FIG. 22B illustrates the adjustable sieve surface of FIG. 22A in asecond state, according at least one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples are described herein in the context of sieving apparatusesutilizing sieving devices for use in separation of mosquito pupae. Thoseof ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following descriptionis illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Forexample, the sieving apparatus described herein can be used to separateany insects having an aqueous pupal stage. The sieving apparatus may beused with sieving devices having different characteristics to enableseparation of other organic and inorganic materials. Reference will nowbe made in detail to implementations of examples as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The same reference indicators will be usedthroughout the drawings and the following description to refer to thesame or like items.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theexamples described herein are shown and described. It will, of course,be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application- and business-related constraints, and that thesespecific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from onedeveloper to another.

In an illustrative example, a sieving apparatus for separation of pupaeis described. The sieving apparatus includes a support frame and a setof components attached to the support frame. These components include afunnel basin, a rinse basin, a sieving device, a drainage systemconnected to the funnel basin, and an actuation system attached to thesieving device. The actuation system is configured to adjust theposition and orientation of the sieving device with respect to the twobasins as part of a process for separating pupae. The sieving deviceincludes a sieve held within a rim. Together the sieve and the rim froma box-like structure, with the sieve forming the bottom of the box-likestructure. The sieve includes a series of elongate openings. Eachelongate opening is defined by a length corresponding to a longitudinalaxis and a width corresponding to a transverse axis. A value of thewidth is selected to correspond to a smallest dimension of acephalothorax of a representative pupa to be separated. For example, toseparate male pupae from female pupae, a value of the width can beselected that is smaller than the cephalothoraxes of all females of agiven population and larger than the cephalothoraxes of most, if notall, males of the same population. The elongate shape of the openingsclosely corresponds to how the pupae naturally orient in still water.When the water is flushed through the elongate openings, those pupaealready in this natural orientation remain so and those that are not areoriented by the flowing water. Sizing the elongate openings tocorrespond to the size and natural orientation of the pupae can resultin high separation rates. Additionally, high separation rates arepossible because, unlike mesh sieves, the sieve surface is designed toinclude smooth transitions between the elongate openings. This resultsin fewer pupae becoming entangled, e.g., by their paddles or otherphysiological structures, with the openings.

To begin the separation process, water is added to the funnel basin andthe actuation system is instructed to lower the sieving device into thewater. The population including males and females are added to the waterthat is within the rim of the sieving device (e.g., within the box-likestructure). The actuation system is instructed to vertically lower andraise the sieving device into and out of the water to draw the pupaedown on to the sieve. In some examples, the water level is raised andlowered relative to the sieving device. Water can be flushed through thesieving device (e.g., by adjusting an elevation of the water relative tothe sieve or adjusting an elevation of the sieve relative to the water).Such flushing may be repeated, such as by oscillating or agitatingmovement of the sieving device or the water elevation, to perform asieving action. Using this flushing action, most of the male pupae canpass through any one of the elongate openings, while the female pupaeare prevented from passing because of their larger cephalothoraxes. Suchflushing may be repeated, such as by oscillating or agitating movementof the sieve device or the water elevation, to perform a sieving action.Because the sieve rim is never fully submerged during the dunking, mostfemale pupae remain within the rim and most male pupae move into thewater outside the rim. After flushing, the actuation system isinstructed to move the sieving device toward the rinse basin. At therinse basin, the sieving device is rotated and the female pupae areflushed from the sieving device. Meanwhile, the water from the funnelbasin is drained and the male pupae, which moved into the water throughthe sieve during the sieving action, are removed from the drainagesystem through flushing. In some examples, because of the automationdescribed herein, the sieving apparatus may enable separation ofhundreds of thousands of pupae per hour.

This illustrative example is given to introduce the reader to thegeneral subject matter discussed herein and the disclosure is notlimited to this example. The following sections describe variousadditional non-limiting examples of sieving apparatuses includingsieving devices.

Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of asieving apparatus 1000, according to at least one example. The sievingapparatus 1000 includes a frame 1002, an actuation system 1004, a funnelbasin system 1006, and a rinse basin system 1008. The sieving apparatus1000 can be included as a single station within a process flow thatincludes upstream and downstream processes. The sieving apparatus 1000along with the upstream and/or downstream processes can be automatedusing computer control such as by a computer system 1005. The computersystem 1005 can be local to the sieving apparatus 1000, remote from thesieving apparatus 1005, and/or distributed between a remote location andthe sieving apparatus 1000. For example, the computer system 1005 can bea remote computing device 1009 that computer interacts with a localcontrol unit 1007 of the sieving apparatus 1000 via a network. In thismanner, the remote computing device 1009 can provide instructions to thelocal control 1007 unit for execution. The computer system 1005 can alsoprovide other instructions to other machines and devices locatedupstream and downstream from the sieving apparatus 1000. The remotecomputing device 1009 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 20.

The local control unit 1007 may include a processing device such as amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), anapplication-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”), field programmablegate arrays (“FPGAs”), state machines, or other processing means. Suchprocessing means may further include programmable electronic devicessuch as PLCs, programmable interrupt controllers (“PICs”), programmablelogic devices (“PLDs”), programmable read-only memories (“PROMs”),electronically programmable read-only memories (“EPROMs” or “EEPROMs”),or other similar devices.

The processing device may include, or may be in communication with, thememory. The memory includes computer-readable storage media, that maystore instructions that, when executed by the processing device, causethe processing device to perform the functions described herein ascarried out, or assisted, by the processing device. Examples ofcomputer-readable media may include, but are not limited to a memorychip, Read Only Memory (“ROM”), Random Access Memory (“RAM”), ASIC, orany other storage means from which a processing device can read or writeinformation.

The components of each of the actuation system 1004, the funnel basinsystem 1006, and the rinse basin system 1008 are attached to andsupported by the frame 1002. The frame 1002 may be formed in anysuitable manner and from any suitable material so as to providestructural support for the systems 1004, 1006, and 1008. For example,the frame 1002 may be formed from metal tubing (e.g., steel, aluminum,etc.) that is welded, bolted, or otherwise attached together. In someexamples, the systems 1004, 1006, and 1008 are not attached to the sameframe 1002. For example, the funnel basin system 1006 and the rinsebasin system 1008 can be disposed at adjacent stations in the processflow and the actuation system 1004 can move between the adjacentstations to perform the techniques described herein.

Beginning with the actuation system 1004, the actuation system 1004 inthis example includes a sieving device 100 (e.g., a sieving container),a rotational actuator 1010, a lifting actuator 1012, and a lateralactuator 1014. Together the rotational actuator 1010, the liftingactuator 1012, and the lateral actuator 1014 manipulate spatial positionand orientation of the sieving device 100 with respect to the funnelbasin system 1006 and the rinse basin system 1008. For example, asdescribed in detail herein, the lifting actuator 1012 moves the sievingdevice 100 vertically, the lateral actuator 1014 moves the sievingdevice 100 horizontally, and the rotational actuator 1010 rotates thesieving device 100.

The funnel basin system 1006 includes a funnel basin 1016 and a drainagesystem 1018 that includes a first valve 1020 a, a drain manifold 1022,and a second valve 1020 b. The funnel basin 1016 can have any suitableshape and size other than the cylindrical shape shown. At a minimum, thefunnel basin 1016 is sized to receive the sieving device 100 and hold avolume of liquid in which the sieving device 100 can be partiallysubmerged. For example, the funnel basin 1016 can be filled with waterand the lifting actuator 1012 can move the sieving device 100 verticallyinto and out of the funnel basin 1016 as part of a sieving action toseparate a population of pupae.

In some examples, the funnel basin 1016 includes a bottom that slopestoward a drain disposed at the center of the bottom. The drain is theattachment point between the funnel basin 1016 and the drainage system1018. The valves 1020 are controllable to selectively direct fluid fromthe funnel basin 1016. For example, with the second valve 1020 b closed,the first valve 1020 a can be opened and fluid can be drained from thefunnel basin 1016 via the drain manifold 1022. Because the drainmanifold 1022 includes a perforated drain tube 1024, small debris suchas pupae present in the liquid will be captured inside the perforateddrain tube 1024. The second valve 1020 b can then be opened to accessthe debris remaining in the perforated drain tube 1024. In someexamples, a second volume of liquid is drained through the drainagesystem 1018 with both valves 1020 open. This second volume of liquidfunctions to flush the drainage system 1018, including any additionaldebris present in the perforated drain tube 1024.

The rinse basin system 1008 includes a rinse basin 1026, a rinse nozzle1028, and a spill ramp 1030. The rinse basin 1026 can be any suitablebasin having any suitable size. In some examples, the rinse basin 1026includes a drain that empties to sewer system, a biological wastecollection system, a specimen collection receptacle, or any othersuitable location. When separating a population of pupae, the group ofundesirable pupae can be rinsed off of the sieving device 100 and intothe rinse basin 1026. This can be achieved by the lateral actuator 1014moving the sieving device 100 from a position over the funnel basin 1016to a position over the rinse basin 1026. At this point, the rotationalactuator 1010 rotates the sieving device 100 and the rinse nozzle 1028sprays a liquid such as water on the sieving device 100 to spray off thepupae. If a specimen collection receptacle is being used, these pupaecan also be collected. The spill ramp 1030 helps to avoid contaminationby directing any spilled water (e.g., that may drop out of sievingdevice 100) toward the rinse basin 1026.

The sieving apparatus 1000 can include any suitable sensors to managethe operation of the components of the sieving apparatus 1000. Forexample, position sensors, e.g. rotational encoders, variable resistors,etc., may be used to sense the position of the actuation system 1004.Ultrasonic sensors may be used to sense a water level in the funnelbasin 1016. These sensors can provide sensor data (e.g., output) to thecomputer system 1005.

Details of the sieving device 100 will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 2-12. Referring first to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates aperspective view of the sieving device 100, according to at least oneexample. The sieving device 100 includes a sieve surface 102 (e.g., abase) held within a sieve rim 104. The sieve rim 104 includes aplurality of walls 104 a-104 d that together define a volume having arectangular cross section. In some examples, the sieve rim 104 defines anon-rectangular perimeter (e.g., round, triangular, and any othersuitable non-rectangular shape). In some examples, the sieve rim 104 maybe formed from one or more pieces of material (e.g., may be formed froma single continuous piece of material or from more than one pieces thathave been joined together). Irrespective of the shape of the perimeter,the sieve rim 104 can function to funnel or otherwise direct a liquid(e.g., water) through the sieve surface 102. As the sieving device 100can be sized for manual use (e.g., 6″×6″ square) in some examples, thesieve rim 104 also provides an area whereby an operator can manuallygrasp and manipulate the sieving device 100. For example, the operatorcan use her hands to grasp the sieve rim 104 to manipulate the sievingdevice 100 (e.g., applying an agitating or oscillating motion withrespect to an aqueous solution that pushes smaller pupae through thesieve surface 102 and separates larger pupae and/or debris that cannotpass through the sieve surface 102). The sieving device 100 can also besized for automated use, which may be smaller, larger, or the same sizeas the manual size. The sieving device 100 can also include anattachment location 107. For example, the attachment location 107 can beused to attach the actuation system 1004 to the sieve rim 104 (e.g., viathe rotational actuator 1010). The sieving device 100 also includes aset of feet 105. The feet 105 are attached to the sieve rim 104 and canfunction to space the sieve surface 102 of off a bottom of a containeror other surface. The sieve surface 102 also includes a series ofopenings 106 which are described in detail with reference to laterfigures.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the sieve surface 102, according to atleast one example. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the sieve surface 102 canbe held within a sieve frame 108. The sieve frame 108 includes aplurality of members 108 a-108 d that together define a rectangularperimeter. In some examples, the sieve frame 108 has a non-rectangularperimeter. In any event, the cross section of the sieve rim 104 and thecross section of the sieve frame 108 can correspond to enable mountingof the sieve frame 108 within the sieve rim 104. The sieve frame 108also provides rigidity to the sieve surface 102. In some examples, sieveframes 108 having different sieve surfaces 102 (e.g., different sizedopenings) can be detachably mounted to the same sieve rim 104, dependingon the implementation. For example, a kit can include multiple sievesurfaces 102 having different sized openings 106 that can beindependently detachably mounted to the sieve rim 104.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the openings 106 can be organized into aseries of rows 110 a-110 n including a plurality of openings 106. A fewof the rows are labeled (e.g., 110 a and 110 b). The openings 106 can berepeated within the rows 110 to form a row pattern. The rows 110 can berepeated within the sieve surface 102 to form a sieve surface pattern.The number and dimensions of the rows 110 can be a product of thedimensions of the openings 106, spacing between the openings 106, andthe material used to form the sieve surface 102. In some examples, asingle row 110 including a plurality of openings 106 is provided. Inthis example, the single row 110 can extend transversely between members108 b and 108 d. The openings 106 of this single row 110 can extendlongitudinally between members 108 a and 108 c.

In some examples, the sieve surface 102 is formed by a plurality ofelongate rods laid out between the members 110 b and 110 d. The ends ofthese rods can extend between the members 108 a and 108 c and be held inplace by these members 108 a and 108 c. In this example, the openings106 can be formed between individual ones of the plurality of elongaterods.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of the sieve surface 102, accordingto at least one example. The sieve surface 102 can be defined as havingthe openings 106, a few of which are labeled. Each opening 106 can havea generally elongate cross section. For example, as illustrated withrespect to opening 106 a, the cross section can be defined by a lengthdimension 111 measured along a longitudinal axis 112 a of the opening106 a and a width dimension 113 measured along a transverse axis 114 aof the opening 106 a. The length dimension 111 can be greater than thewidth dimension 113. As described in detail herein, a generally elongatecross section can enable selection of a smaller width dimension 113corresponding to the smallest dimension of cephalothorax as compared tosquare mesh sieves, which are generally sized to the largest dimensionof the cephalothorax.

A value of the width dimension 113 can be dependent on the goals of aseparation program and characteristics of pupae to be separated. Forexample, populations of Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes canbe separated. Other species of mosquitoes or other populations ofinsects having a pupae stage can be separated using the sieving device100 described herein. For example, the sieving device 100, in particularthe openings 106, a space dimension 118, and a row dimension 116 may betailored to the specific insect species.

As described herein, the sieving device 100 can be used to separate anyspecies of insect that has an aquatic pupal phase. In some examples, thevalue of the width dimension 113 may correspond to a cross-sectionalcephalothorax width of a representative insect from a particular insectspecies. In some examples, the width dimension 113 may range from 800microns to 1500 microns, which may be appropriate for separating somespecies of mosquitoes, such as Aedes aegypti. Values larger than 1500microns and smaller than 800 microns may be appropriate for other insectspecies. In a particular example, the value of the width dimension 113can be about 1200 microns. In some examples, a value of the lengthdimension 111 may correspond to a cross-sectional cephalothorax lengthof a representative insect from the particular insect species. In aparticular example, the length dimension 111 may range from 2500 micronsto many millimeters (e.g., 12 millimeters), which may be appropriate forseparating some species of mosquitoes. Values larger than 12 millimetersand smaller than 2500 may also be appropriate for other insect species.

A value of the length dimension 111 can also be dependent on the goalsof the separation program and characteristics of the pupae to beseparated. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the valueof the length dimension 111 is about 10 times greater than the value ofthe width dimension 113. In some examples, the value of the lengthdimension 111 can be arbitrarily selected so long as it is greater thana largest cross-sectional dimension (e.g., tip to tail) of a typicalpupa which is expected to pass through the opening 106 a. Because thewidth dimension 113 is sized to correspond to a different smallerdimension of the typical pupa, the length dimension 111 will be largerthan the width dimension 113.

The rows 110 can be spaced in accordance with the row dimension 116. Forexample, row 110 m including the openings 106 a, 106 b can be spacedapart from row 110 n including the openings 106 c, 106 d by the rowdimension 116. The openings 106 can be spaced in accordance with thespace dimension 118. For example, the opening 106 a can be spaced apartfrom the opening 106 b by the space dimension 118.

A value of the row dimension 116 may correspond or otherwise beproportional to a cross-sectional cephalothorax dimension of arepresentative insect of a preselected insect type. For example, the rowdimension 116 may have a value that corresponds to a cross-sectionalcephalothorax width or length of the representative insect. In thismanner, the row dimension 116 may be selected to avoid having materialin the sieve surface 102 that could hook or otherwise catch pupae andthereby prevent them from rolling off. In some examples, the rowdimension 116 may enable the pupae to roll off the sieve surface 102(e.g., through the openings 106). In a particular example, the rowdimension 116 may range from 1000 microns to 3000 microns. In someexamples, the value of the row dimension 116 is greater than 3000microns or smaller than 1000 microns.

A value of the space dimension 118 may correspond or otherwise beproportional to a cross-sectional cephalothorax dimension of arepresentative insect of a preselected insect type. For example, likethe row dimension 116, the space dimension 118 may have a value thatcorresponds to a cross-sectional cephalothorax width or length of therepresentative insect. In this manner, the space dimension 118 may beselected to avoid having material in the sieve surface 102 that couldhook or otherwise catch pupae and thereby prevent them from rolling off.In some examples, the space dimension 118 may enable the pupae to rolloff the sieve surface 102 (e.g., through the openings 106). In aparticular example, the space dimension 118 may range from about 500microns to 3000 microns. In some examples, the value of the spacedimension 118 is greater than 3000 microns or smaller than 500 microns.Depending on the value of the row dimension 116, the value of the spacedimension 118, the value of the length dimension 111, and the value ofthe width dimension 113, an example sieve surface 102 may have between5-30 openings 106 per square inch. In some examples, the value of therow dimension 116, the value of the space dimension 118, the value ofthe length dimension 111, and the value of the width dimension 113 areselected to provide sufficient rigidity to the sieving device 100 and asuitable fraction of open area to solid structure (e.g., openings 106compared to rigid portion of the sieve surface 102), while stillpreventing entanglement with the pupae.

In some examples, the values of the row dimension 116 and the spacedimension 118 are selected to minimize a ratio of solid area to openarea across the sieve surface 102. Thus, by placing the openings 106close together (e.g., a small value of the space dimension 118) andplacing the rows 110 close together (e.g., small value of the rowdimension 116), a greater quantity of openings 106 and rows 110 can beformed in the sieve surface 102. This can provide for increasedthroughput and increased yield in a separation program.

In some examples, the values of the row dimension 116 and the spacedimension 118 depends on the material selected for the sieve surface 102and the forming method. The sieve surface 102 can be formed from anysuitable material such as metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, acrylic, andother materials having similar properties. The forming technique used toform the sieve surface 102 will depend on the material selected. Exampleforming techniques include, but are not limited to, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, photochemical etching, punching, die cutting, milling,additive manufacturing (e.g., three-dimensional printing), molding,casting, stamping, and other similar techniques.

FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 respectively illustrate a side view, a first profileview, and a second profile view of an example mosquito pupa 400 that canbe separated using the sieving device 100, according to variousexamples. The mosquito pupa 400 includes a cephalothorax 402 and anabdomen 404. When in the pupal stage, the mosquito pupa 400 uses itsabdomen 404, including a distal portion 404 a, as a flipper to movethrough water 408. The cephalothorax 402 also includes eyes 406, one ofwhich is illustrated and labeled. In the profile view illustrated inFIG. 5, the mosquito pupa 400 can be defined by a cephalothorax width410 and an overall length 412. In the profile view illustrated in FIG.6, the mosquito pupa 400 can also be defined by the cephalothorax height414. Based on the physiological structures of the pupae (e.g., themosquito pupa 400), the cephalothorax width 410 will be less than theoverall length 412. In some examples, the cephalothorax height 414 isgreater than the cephalothorax width 410. Thus, the cephalothorax width410 can represent the narrowest dimension of the largest part (e.g., thecephalothorax 402) of the mosquito pupa 400.

As introduced herein, the value of the length dimension 111 of theopenings 106 can be selected based on the overall length 412. For agiven pupal population, a minimum value for the length dimension 111should be greater than the overall length 412 of the largest pupa in thepopulation. In some examples, a value of the length dimension 111 ismuch greater the overall length 412 of the largest pupa (e.g., an orderof magnitude of 10 to 100 times greater).

As introduced herein, the value of the width dimension 113 of theopenings 106 can be selected based on the cephalothorax width 410. Forexample, assume for a moment that a goal of a separation program is toseparate male mosquito pupae from female mosquito pupae. In thisexample, if an example male population has an average cephalothoraxwidth 410 of 1100 microns and an example female population has anaverage cephalothorax width 410 of 1400 microns. Given this differenceof 300 microns between the average cephalothorax widths and given adifference of about 50 microns between a female mosquito with thesmallest cephalothorax width 410 (e.g., 1250 microns) in the femalepopulation and a male mosquito pupa with the largest cephalothorax width410 (e.g., 1200 microns) in the male population, a value for the widthdimension 113 can be selected to give a high probability of separation.In this example, a value of 1200-1225 microns for the width dimension113 can be suitable. Of course, other values would be appropriate forother populations of insects having cephalothoraxes of different sizes.

In the view illustrated in FIG. 5, the mosquito pupa 400 is oriented ina natural orientation, one in which the mosquito pupa 400 will naturallyorient when located within the water 408. In this orientation, themosquito pupa 400 is able to obtain oxygen at the surface of the water408 via respiratory trumpets (not shown) that extend from an upperportion of the cephalothorax 402 (e.g., near the upper surface of thewater 408). This orientation may be referred to as a “tail downorientation” because the distal portion 404 a of the abdomen 404 (e.g.,a tail) points down.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the mosquito pupa 400 passing throughthe opening 106 in the sieve surface 102, according to at least oneexample. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the mosquito pupa 400 isoriented in the tail down orientation as the mosquito pupa 400 passesthrough the opening 106.

FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively illustrate a first mosquito pupa 400 a in afirst orientation and a second orientation with respect an opening 106,according to various examples. In particular, the first mosquito pupa400 a is shown passing through the opening 106. This is because thecephalothorax width 410 of a first cephalothorax 402 a is less than avalue of the width dimension 113. The first orientation of the firstmosquito pupa 400 a illustrated in FIG. 9 is an example of the tail downorientation illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9. The second orientation of thefirst mosquito pupa 400 a illustrated in FIG. 10 is an example of a tailup orientation. This may constitute a rotation of about 180 degrees.

FIGS. 11 and 12 respectively illustrate a second mosquito pupa 400 b ina first orientation and a second orientation with respect an opening106, according to various examples. In particular, the second mosquitopupa 400 b is shown as being prevented from passing the opening 106.This is because the cephalothorax width 410 of a second cephalothorax402 b is greater than a value of the width dimension 113. The firstorientation of the second mosquito pupa 400 b illustrated in FIG. 11 isan example of the tail down orientation illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7.The second orientation of the second mosquito pupa 400 b illustrated inFIG. 12 is an example of the tail up orientation. This may constitute arotation of about 180 degrees.

In some examples, the openings 106 of the sieve surface 102 are sizedsuch that the first mosquito pupae 400 a can pass through the openings106 and the second mosquito pupa 400 b are prevented from passingthrough the openings 106. For example, the first mosquito pupae 400 amay be male pupae and the second mosquito pupae 400 b may be femalepupae. In some examples, the first mosquito pupae 400 a is a first setof male (or female) pupae and the second mosquito pupae 400 b is asecond set of male (or female) pupae.

In some examples, the openings 106 of the sieve surface 102 are sizedsuch that the first mosquito pupae 400 a can pass through the openings106 in any one of the tail down or tail up orientations and the secondmosquito pupae 400 b are prevented from passing through in anyorientation. In some examples, the openings 106 are sized such that thefirst mosquito pupae 400 a may pass through in other orientations aswell (e.g., head down or abdomen down).

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate example states of the sieving apparatus 1000 asthe sieving apparatus performs an automated sieving process, accordingto various examples. Execution of the automated sieving process enablesseparation and downstream processing of a population of pupae such asmosquito pupae. The state changes of the components of the sievingapparatus 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 13-17 may be performed under themanagement of the computer system 1005.

FIG. 13 illustrates a detailed view of an example state 1300 of thesieving apparatus 1000, according to at least one example. In the state1300, the sieving device 100 is disposed vertically above the funnelbasin 1016. The lifting actuator 1012 may include any suitable structureand controls to enable the vertical movement of the sieving device 100described herein. For example, the lifting actuator 1012 may include avertical carrier 1032 attached to the frame 1002 via a vertical rail1034. The rotational actuator 1010 is disposed between and attaches tothe vertical carrier 1032 and the sieving device 100. The verticalcarrier 1032 can include an electric motor (e.g., servomotor) or othersuitable actuator device (e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumaticactuators, thermal actuators, etc.) configured to move the verticalcarrier 1032 vertically along the vertical rail 1034. In particular, thelifting actuator 1012 may move the sieving device 100 into and out ofthe funnel basin 1016 as part of the sieving process, as illustrated bythe vertical arrow 1036. Operation of the lifting actuator 1012 can bemanaged by the computer system 1005.

As illustrated in the state 1300, the sieving process may includefilling the funnel basin 1016 with a liquid such as water. A fill nozzlemay be disposed adjacent to the funnel basin 1016 in order to dispensethe liquid. In some examples, the fill nozzle is a puck dispensing spoutto enable adding fixed volumes of the liquid. Operation of the fillnozzle can be managed by the computer system 1005. After or before thefunnel basin 1016 has been filled with water or while the funnel basin1016 is being filled with water, the lifting actuator 1012 can beactuated to move the sieving device 100 down toward the funnel basin1016 so as to submerge the sieve surface 102 in the water. A populationof pupae may be added to the sieving device 100 (e.g., within the sieverim 104). The population of pupae may include pupae of different sizes,of different sexes, of different species, and/or any combination of theforegoing. In some examples, the population of pupae includes males andfemales of the same species. A conveyor system or other automatedprocess may add the population of pupae to the sieving device 100.Addition of the population of pupae can be managed by the computersystem 1005. Any suitable number of pupae may be added to the sievingdevice 100. For example, when the sieve rim 104 is about 8″×8″ square,around 6,000 mosquito pupae may be included in the population. In someexamples, the population of pupae are treated with a larvicide prior tobeing added to the sieving device 100. This ensures any larvae stillpresent in the population are dead prior to going through the sievingprocess.

Once the mosquito pupae have been added, the lifting actuator 1012 canbe actuated to perform a sieving action that causes separation of thepopulation of pupae 1206. For example, the lifting actuator 1012 can beactuated between two vertical elevations, at one of which the sievesurface 102 is submerged in the water and at the other of which thesieve surface 102 is removed the water. This sieving action of dunkingthe sieve surface 102 into and out of the water functions to force thepupae into two groups (e.g., a first group that will fit through thesieve surface 102 and remain the water in the funnel basin 1016 and asecond group that will not fit through the sieve surface 102 and remainin the sieving device 100). This action can be repeated any suitablenumber of cycles (e.g., predetermined, dynamic based on vision orweight, etc.). For example, an optical system including a camera canoutput image data as the sieving device 100 is moved. The computersystem 1005 processes this image data to determine whether an expectednumber of pupae have been separated. In some examples, three cycles areperformed. In some examples, a complete cycle may take about two seconds(e.g. one second down and one second up).

In some examples, instead of manipulating the elevation of the sievesurface 102 relative to the water, the water level within the funnelbasin 1016 can be adjusted relative to the sieve surface 102. Forexample, a pump system may circulate the same water into and out of thefunnel basin 1016. In other examples, the pump system may pump out dirtywater and replace the dirty water with clean water. Operation of thepump(s) can be managed by the computer system 1005.

In some examples, the sieving action that causes separation of thepopulation of pupae 1206 may include oscillating, agitating, shaking,and/or otherwise moving the sieving device 100 (e.g., rolling). Suchmovements may include raising and lowering an elevation of the sievingdevice 100, translating the sieving device 100 forward and backward,translating the sieving device side-to-side, rotating on one or moreends of the sieving device 100 with respect to other ends, rolling thesieving device 100, performing any combination of the foregoing, andperforming any other change to orientation and position of the sievingdevice 100. One or more of these actions can be performedsimultaneously, in a predefined order, or in any other manner thatcauses separation of the population of pupae 1206.

The sieving device 100 can be oscillated, agitated, and/or shaken whenat least some liquid is present within the sieve rim 104. In someexamples, the sieving device 100 is oscillated, agitated, and/or shakenwhen little to no liquid is present in the sieve rim 104. For example,when a population of pupae is suspended in an aqueous solution in apupae container, the sieving action may be performed as the populationof pupae is transferred from the pupae container to the sieving device100. In this example, the sieving device 100 may be oscillated,agitated, shaken, and/or otherwise moved in a manner that causes thepopulation of pupae to move within the sieving device 100 and/or causesthe aqueous solution in which the pupae are originally suspended orother aqueous solution to move. In this manner, the sieving action maycause separation of the population of pupae. In some examples, anadditional sieve surface 102 can be used to separate out othermaterials, e.g., debris that might be present with the pupae. Anysuitable number of sieving surfaces 102 can be used to separate a set ofinsects into any suitable number of groups.

Continuing with the sieving process, as illustrated in the state 1300,the first valve 1020 a can be opened after the sieving action hasfinished. The second valve 1020 b remains closed. Operation of thevalves 1020 can be managed by the computer system 1005. This results inthe water from the funnel basin 1016 emptying through the perforateddrain tube 1024, into the drain manifold 1022, and out of a drainmanifold opening 1038. The first group of pupae that remained in thewater will remain in the perforated drain tube 1024. This is becauseopenings in the perforated drain tube 1024 are sized smaller than thepupae (e.g., less than 900 microns). After the water has drained fromthe funnel basin 1016, a second volume of water is added to the funnelbasin 1016 to continue to rinse the funnel basin 1016 and to furtherconsolidate the first group of pupae into the perforated drain tube1024. After this second volume of water has flushed through the funnelbasin 1016 and the drainage system 1018, the second valve 1020 b isopened to dispense the consolidated first group of pupae into acontainer for downstream processing. With both valves 1020 open, a thirdvolume of water is added to the funnel basin 1016 to further flush thefunnel basin 1016 and the drainage system 1018.

The valves 1020 can be any suitable inline valve such as a ball valve, abutterfly valve, a gate valve, and other similar inline valves. Thevalves 1020 may include actuators 1021 configured to open and close thevalves 1020 in response to a signal (e.g., a control signal from thecomputer system 1005).

FIG. 14 illustrates a detailed view of an example state 1400 of thesieving apparatus 1000, according to at least one example. Between thestates 1300 and 1400, the sieving device 100 has been raised verticallyout of the funnel basin 1016. For example, the lifting actuator 1012 hasraised the sieving device 100. In the state 1400, the second group ofpupae is disposed in the sieve device 100 (e.g., those that could notfit through the sieve surface 102). In the state 1400, the sievingapparatus 1000 is prepared to move the sieving device 100 from aposition over the funnel basin 1016 to a position over the rinse basin1026.

The lateral actuator 1014, for example, can be used to perform thischange in position of the sieving device 100. The lateral actuator 1014may include any suitable structure and controls to enable the lateralmovement (e.g., sideways movement other than vertical which may includehorizontal and/or angled) of the sieving device 100 described herein.For example, the lateral actuator 1014 may include a lateral carrier1040 attached to the frame 1002 via a horizontal rail 1042. In someexamples, the lateral carrier 1040 is attached to the vertical rail 1034of the lifting actuator 1012. In this manner, the vertical rail 1034,the vertical carrier 1032, the rotational actuator 1010, and the sievingdevice 100 all translate laterally (e.g., horizontally) together whenthe lateral actuator 1014 is actuated. The lateral carrier 1040 caninclude an electric motor (e.g., servomotor) or other suitable actuatordevice (e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, thermalactuators, etc.) configured to move the lateral carrier 1040 laterallyalong the horizontal rail 1042. In particular, the lateral actuator 1014may move the sieving device 100 between the funnel basin 1016 and therinse basin 1026 as part of the sieving process, as illustrated by thehorizontal arrow 1044. Operation of the lateral actuator 1014 can bemanaged by the computer system 1005.

FIG. 15 illustrates a detailed view of an example state 1500 of thesieving apparatus 1000, according to at least one example. Between thestates 1400 and 1500, the sieving device 100 has been translatedhorizontally from a position over the funnel basin 1016 to a positionover the rinse basin 1026. The lateral actuator 1014 causes the movementbetween the states 1400 and 1500.

FIG. 16 illustrates a detailed view of an example state 1600 of thesieving apparatus 1000, according to at least one example. Between thestates 1500 and 1600, the sieving device 100 has been rotated by therotational actuator 1010.

For example, the rotational actuator 1010 can include a shaft by whichthe rotational actuator 1010 is attached to the sieving device 100. Arotational axis may extend through the shaft such that the rotationalactuator 1010 can rotate the sieving device 100 about the rotationalaxis. The rotational actuator 1010 is attached to the vertical carrier1032 and thereby moves vertically and horizontally as the liftingactuator 1012 and the lateral actuator 1014 are actuated. In someexamples, the rotational actuator 1010 is offset laterally from thevertical rail 1034. The rotational actuator 1010 may include anysuitable structure and controls to enable the rotational movement (e.g.,rotation about the rotational axis) of the sieving device 100 describedherein. For example, the rotational actuator 1010 may include anelectric motor (e.g., servomotor) or other suitable actuator device(e.g., hydraulic actuators, pneumatic actuators, thermal actuators,etc.) configured to rotate the sieving device 100 relative to the frame1002 as part of the sieving process, as illustrated by rotational arrows1046. Operation of the rotational actuator 1010 can be managed by thecomputer system 1005.

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of an example state 1700 of thesieving apparatus 1000, according to at least one example. Between thestates 1600 and 1700, the rinse nozzle 1028 has been actuated to beginrinsing the sieving device 100. For example, the rinse nozzle 1028 caninclude a valve and actuator assembly that is controlled by the computersystem 1005. The rinse nozzle 1028 can emit high pressure liquid such aswater in the direction of the sieving device 100. The water functions torinse the second group of pupae of off the sieving device 100. Inparticular, the water rinses the sieve surface 102 and the sieve rim104. The rinsing can be performed for any suitable period time, whichmay be predetermined or dynamic. The pupae of the second group and thewater drains into the rinse basin 1026 and out of drain 1048. In someexamples, the second group of pupae can be transferred to a containerafter they pass through the drain 1048 for further downstreamprocessing. In some examples, the second group of pupae are filteredfrom the rinse water and disposed of.

In some examples, the system sieving apparatus 1000 can be used forseparating the first group of pupae and the second group of pupae intoone or more subgroups. For example, sieving devices 100 having sievesurfaces 102 with differently sized openings 106 can be used in sequenceto further refine the separation of the pupae. For example, the secondgroup of pupae which did not pass through the first sieve surface 102can be sieved again using a sieve surface with larger openings than thefirst surface 102. The sieving process can be repeated to sort preciselyby size differential. This process can also be performed in reverse,where the largest sieve surface 102 is used first, and sequentiallymoving to smaller and smaller sieve surfaces 102. In some examples, anadditional sieve surface 102 can be used to separate out othermaterials, e.g., debris that might be present with the pupae. Anysuitable number of sieving surfaces 102 can be used to separate a set ofinsects into any suitable number of groups.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, in some examples, asingle sieving device 100 can include an adjustable sieve surface 2102and 2202. As shown in FIG. 21, the adjustable sieve surface 2102 caninclude two or more sieve surfaces 2102 a and 2102 b positioned on topof each other (e.g., a top sieve surface 2102 a and a bottom sievesurface 2102 b). The two or more sieve surfaces 2102 may be heldadjacent to each other via an alignment structure 2112 (e.g., a set oftongue and groove structures, a tab and channel, a pair of parallelwalls configured to retain the sieve surfaces 2102, and any othersuitable structure configured to align two or more planar surfaces(e.g., two or more sieve surfaces 2102) and enabling slidable movementof the two or more sieve surfaces 2102). At least one of the sievesurfaces 2102 (e.g., the sieve surface 2102 a) is configured to slidewith respect to the other sieve surface(s) 2102 (e.g., the sieve surface2102 b) so as to expand and contract a value of the width dimension 2113of the openings 106. When openings 106 of the sieve surfaces 2102 arealigned with each other, the value of the width dimension 2113 is thegreatest. When one of the sieve surfaces 2102 is moved with respect tothe other sieve surface(s) 2102, the value of the width dimension 2113may get smaller.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 21B and 21C, a first sieve surface2102 a may be configured to slide along the transverse axis 2114 withrespect to a second sieve surface 2102 b at least until a value of thewidth dimension 2113—measured between openings in the first sievesurface 2102 a and openings in the second sieve surface 2102 b—is abouthalf the value of the width dimension 2113 measured when the openings106 of the first and second sieve surfaces 2102 a, 2102 b are aligned.In some examples, the first sieve surface 2102 a may be transverselymoveable with respect to the second sieve surface 2102 b within somerange that is less than the value of the width dimension 2113 measuredwhen the openings 106 of the first and second sieve surfaces 2102 a,2102 b are aligned. In this manner, movement (e.g., sliding) of thefirst sieve surface 2102 a may contract the openings 106. In someexamples, the adjustable sieve surface 2102 may include a knob 2104 orother structure configured to control the slidable movement of the sievesurfaces 2102 a, 2102 b. In some examples, the knob 2104 can gripped bya user to slide at least one of the first sieve surface 2102 a or thesecond sieve surface 2102 b. For example, the knob 2104 may be connectedto the second sieve surface 2102 b and, as such, may be configured toslide the second sieve surface 2102 b with respect to the first sievesurface 2102 a.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, in some examples, a single sieving device 100can include an adjustable sieve surface 2202 that includes two or moresieve surfaces 2202 a, 2202 b stacked on top of each other and held in arotary relationship. Thus, instead of a first sieve surface (e.g., 2102a) being configured to translate with respect to a second sieve surface(e.g., 2102 b), the first sieve surface 2202 a can be configured torotate with respect to the second sieve surface 2202 b so as to adjustvalues of the width dimension 2213 of the openings 106. For example,such rotation may be achieved by connecting the two or more sievesurfaces 2202 a, 2202 b via a shaft 2212 or other alignment structurethat extends through a center point of the sieve surfaces 2202 a, 2202b.

A pattern of the openings 106 in the first sieve surface 2202 a can bethe same as a pattern of the openings 106 in the second sieve surface2202 b. In some examples, the patterns on the two sieve surfaces 2202 a,2202 b are different.

In some examples, the sieving device 100, including the adjustable sievesurface (e.g., 2102 or 2202), may be used in a process for separatingartifacts of various sizes (e.g., insects in various stages, insects ofvarious species, random debris, any combination of the foregoing, etc.).For example, with reference to FIG. 21, the process may begin bytranslating a first sieve surface 2102 a with respect to a second sievesurface 2102 b into a first overlapping position. In the firstoverlapping position, values of the openings 106 may be the smallest andallow debris to pass through the openings 106, but prevent larvae andpupae from passing therethrough. From the first overlapping position,the first sieve surface 2102 a can be translated with respect to thesecond sieve surface 2102 b so as to widen the openings to a secondoverlapping position. In the second overlapping position, values of theopenings 106 may be suitably sized to allow larvae to pass through theopenings 106, but prevent pupae from passing therethrough. From thesecond overlapping position, the first sieve surface 2102 a can betranslated with respect to the second sieve surface 2102 b so as towiden the openings 106 to a third overlapping position. In the thirdoverlapping position, values of the openings 106 may be suitably sizedto allow male pupae to pass through the openings 106, but prevent femalepupae from passing therethrough. From the third overlapping position,the first sieve surface 2102 a can be translated with respect to thesecond sieve surface 2102 b so as to widen the openings 106 to a fourthoverlapping position. In the fourth overlapping position, values of theopenings 106 may be suitably sized to allow female pupae to pass throughthe openings 106. In this manner, the openings 106 may be graduallywidened so as to split up an initial population into any suitable numberof sub-samples (e.g., debris, larvae, male pupae, and female pupae).

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate example flow diagrams showing respectiveprocesses 1800 and 1900, as described herein. These processes 1800 and1900 are illustrated as logical flow diagrams, each operation of whichrepresents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in hardware,computer instructions, or a combination thereof. In the context ofcomputer instructions, the operations represent computer-executableinstructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that,when executed by one or more processors, perform the recited operations.Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs,objects, components, data structures, and the like that performparticular functions or implement particular data types. The order inwhich the operations are described is not intended to be construed as alimitation, and any number of the described operations can be omitted orcombined in any order and/or in parallel to implement the processes. Theorder in which the operations are described is not intended to beconstrued as a limitation, and any number of the described operationscan be omitted or combined in any order and/or in parallel to implementthe processes.

Additionally, some, any, or all of the processes may be performed underthe control of one or more computer systems configured with executableinstructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executableinstructions, one or more computer programs, or one or moreapplications) executing collectively on one or more processors, byhardware, or combinations thereof. As noted above, the code may bestored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the formof a computer program including a plurality of instructions executableby one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium isnon-transitory.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example flow diagram illustrating the exampleprocess 1800 for separating a population of pupae based on size,according to at least one example. The process 1800 can be performedusing the sieving apparatus 1000 operating under the management of thecomputer system 1005.

The process 1800 begins at 1802 by instructing addition of a populationof mosquito pupae to a sieving device. In some examples, the sievingdevice is at least partially submerged in water held within a firstbasin. In some examples, instructing addition of the population ofmosquito pupae to the sieving device includes instructing a humanoperator to add the population of mosquito pupae or causing an automateddevice to add the population of mosquito pupae. In some examples, thesieving device includes a sieve rim to which the sieve surface isattached. The sieve rim can form a wall portion of the sieving device.The sieve surface can form a bottom portion of the sieving deviceopposite an open portion of the sieving device.

At 1804, the process 1800 causes a lifting actuator that is attached tothe sieving device to cycle between a first elevation and a secondelevation. Such cycling may cyclically submerge a sieve surface of thesieving device in the water held within the first basin. In someexamples, the population of mosquito pupae is separated into a firstgroup of mosquito pupae and a second group of mosquito pupae based atleast in part on the cycling.

In some examples, the sieve surface includes a first side and a secondside. A set of openings can be formed in the sieve surface so as todefine a set of pathways extending between the first side and the secondside. Individual openings of the set of openings can be defined by alength dimension and a width dimension. The length dimension can bemeasured along a longitudinal axis of a respective opening. The widthdimension can be measured along a transverse axis of the respectiveopening. In some examples, the width dimension of the individualopenings corresponds to a cephalothorax width of a representativemosquito pupa of the population of mosquito pupae. The length dimensioncan be greater than the width dimension.

At 1806, the process 1800 causes a valve to open to drain the water fromthe first basin. In some examples, the first group of mosquito pupae isdisposed in the water in the first basin.

In some examples, the valve is a first valve in fluid communication witha second valve via a drain pipe. A portion of the drain pipe can includean opening extending into a manifold. The water can drain via theopening and through the manifold.

In some examples, the process 1800 further includes, after causing thefirst valve to open, causing a second valve to open to obtain access tothe first group of mosquito pupae. In this example, the first group ofmosquito pupae is prevented from passing through the opening.

At 1808, the process 1800 causes a lateral actuator that is attached tothe sieving device to move the sieving device from a first positionadjacent to the first basin to a second position adjacent to a secondbasin. In some examples, the second group of mosquito pupae is disposedin the sieving device.

At 1810, the process 1800 causes a rotational actuator to rotate thesieving device about a rotational axis from a first orientation to asecond orientation. This may be performed when the sieving device is atthe second position. In some examples, in the first orientation, a sievesurface of the sieving device is disposed below an opening of thesieving device. In some examples, in the second orientation, the sievesurface is disposed above the opening of the sieving device.

At 1812, the process 1800 instructs removal of the second group ofmosquito pupae from the sieving device. This may be performed when thesieving device is in the second orientation. In some examples,instructing removal of the second group of mosquito pupae from thesieving device includes causing a rinse nozzle to spray the sievingdevice. The sieving device can be disposed between the rinse nozzle andthe second basin when in the second position.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example flow diagram illustrating the exampleprocess 1900 for separating a population of pupae based on size,according to at least one example. The process 1900 can be performedusing the sieving apparatus 1000 operating under the management of thecomputer system 1005.

The process 1900 begins at 1902 by causing an actuation system that isattached to a sieving device to cycle between a first elevation and asecond elevation. In some examples, this may cyclically submerge a sievesurface of the sieving device in a liquid held within a basin. The basincan be disposed below the sieving device. In some examples, a populationof pupae present in the liquid is separated into a first group of pupaeand a second group of pupae as a result of the cycling.

At 1904, the process 1900 causes a valve to open to drain the liquidfrom the basin. In some examples, the first group of pupae is disposedin the liquid.

At 1906, the process 1900 causes the actuation system to move thesieving device from a first position over the basin to a second positionother than over the basin. In some examples, the second group of pupaeis disposed in the sieving device. In some examples, the basin is afirst basin. In this example, the second position is a position over asecond basin disposed adjacent to the first basin. In this example, whenthe sieving device is at the second position, the process 1900 furtherincludes causing the actuation system to rotate the sieving device abouta rotational axis from a first orientation to a second orientation. Theprocess 1900 further includes, when the sieving device is in the secondorientation, instructing removal of the second group of pupae from thesieving device. In some examples, instructing removal of the secondgroup of pupae includes causing a spray nozzle to spray the sievingdevice to remove the second group of pupae.

In some examples, the process 1900 further includes causing a firstvalve to open to drain the liquid from the basin. The liquid may passthrough a perforated drain tube disposed within a drain manifold priorto draining from the drain manifold. In some examples, the process 1900further includes, after the liquid has drained from the drain manifold,causing a second valve disposed downstream from the perforated draintube to open. In this example, the first group of pupae is located inthe perforated drain tube. In some examples, the process 1900 furtherincludes instructing flushing of the perforated drain tube to move thefirst group of pupae from the perforated drain tube into a containerlocated downstream from the second valve. In some examples, instructingflushing of the perforated drain tube includes, when the second valve isopen causing the first valve to open, and causing a fill nozzle to add adifferent volume of the liquid to the basin.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of the computer system 1005, inaccordance with at least one example. The computer system 1005 includesthe local control unit 1007 in communication with the remote computingdevice 1009 via communication link 2006. The remote computing device1009 illustrated in FIG. 20 includes a processor 2002 and a memory 2004.

The processor 2002 may be implemented as appropriate in hardware,computer-executable instructions, firmware, or combinations thereof.Computer-executable instruction or firmware implementations of theprocessor 2002 may include computer-executable or machine-executableinstructions written in any suitable programming language to perform thevarious functions described.

In some examples, the processor 2002 may include a microprocessor, aDSP, an ASIC, FPGAs, state machines, or other processing means. Suchprocessing means may further include programmable electronic devicessuch as PLCs, PICs, PLDs, PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, or other similardevices.

The processor 2002 may include, or is in communication with, the memory2004. The memory 2004 includes computer-readable storage media, that maystore instructions that, when executed by the processor 2002, cause theprocessor 2002 to perform the functions described herein as carried out,or assisted, by the processor 202. Examples of computer-readable mediaof the memory 2004 may include, but are not limited to a memory chip,ROM, RAM, ASIC, or any other storage means from which a processingdevice can read or write information. The memory 2004 may store examplemodules.

The communication link 2006 may be a wireless communication link and mayinclude wireless interfaces, such as IEEE 802.11, BlueTooth™, radiofrequency identification (RFID), near-field communication (NFC), orradio interfaces for accessing cellular telephone networks (e.g.,transceiver/antenna for accessing a CDMA, GSM, UMTS, or other mobilecommunications network). In some aspects, the communication link 2006may be a wired communication link and may include interfaces, such asEthernet, USB, IEEE 1394, fiber optic interface, voltage signal line, orcurrent signal line. The local control unit 1007 can transmit data tothe remote computing device 1009 via the communication link 2006.Likewise the remote computing device 1009 can transmit data to the localcontrol unit 1007 via the communication link 2006. In this manner, thecomputer system 1005 manages the operation of the sieving apparatus1000.

The foregoing description of some examples has been presented only forthe purpose of illustration and description and is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed.Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

Reference herein to an example or implementation means that a particularfeature, structure, operation, or other characteristic described inconnection with the example may be included in at least oneimplementation of the disclosure. The disclosure is not restricted tothe particular examples or implementations described as such. Theappearance of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” “in oneimplementation,” or “in an implementation,” or variations of the same invarious places in the specification does not necessarily refer to thesame example or implementation. Any particular feature, structure,operation, or other characteristic described in this specification inrelation to one example or implementation may be combined with otherfeatures, structures, operations, or other characteristics described inrespect of any other example or implementation.

Use herein of the word “or” is intended to cover inclusive and exclusiveOR conditions. In other words, A or B or C includes any or all of thefollowing alternative combinations as appropriate for a particularusage: A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B only; A and C only; B and Conly; and all three of A and B and C.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a frame; a sievingcontainer comprising a base and a perimeter wall encircling the base toform an interior volume of the sieving container, the perimeter wallfixedly coupled to the base, the base defining a set of openingsenabling movement of insects through the set of openings from theinterior volume of the sieving container; a basin attached to the frame,the basin sized to receive the sieving container and to retain a liquid;and an actuation system attached to the frame and the sieving container,the actuation system configured to move the sieving container, whereinmoving the sieving container separates a population of insects presentin the interior volume based on cephalothorax width.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein individual openings of the set of openings are definedby: a length dimension measured along a longitudinal axis of arespective opening; and a width dimension measured along a transverseaxis of the respective opening, the width dimension corresponding to arepresentative cephalothorax width of a representative insect of thepopulation of insects.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein therepresentative cephalothorax width is a narrowest expectedcross-sectional cephalothorax width.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the actuation system is further configured to move the sievingcontainer by agitating, oscillating, and/or shaking the sievingcontainer.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises anadjustable sieve surface configured to slidably adjust a width dimensionof the set of openings.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein theadjustable sieve surface comprises a first sieve surface and a secondsieve surface slidably connected to each other.
 7. A method, comprising:adding a volume of liquid to a basin of a sieving apparatus, the basinattached to a frame of the sieving apparatus, the basin sized to receivea sieving container and to retain the volume of liquid; and causing anactuation system of the sieving apparatus to move the sieving containerinto the volume of liquid, the actuation system attached to the frameand the sieving container, the sieving container comprising a base and aperimeter wall encircling the base to form an interior volume of thesieving container, the perimeter wall fixedly coupled to the base, thebase defining a set of openings enabling movement of insects through theset of openings from the interior volume of the sieving container,wherein moving the sieving container into the volume of liquid separatesa population of insects present in the interior volume based oncephalothorax width.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein individualopenings of the set of openings are defined by: a length dimensionmeasured along a longitudinal axis of a respective opening; and a widthdimension measured along a transverse axis of the respective opening,the width dimension corresponding to a representative cephalothoraxwidth of a representative insect of the population of insects.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the representative cephalothorax width is anarrowest expected cross-sectional cephalothorax width.
 10. The methodof claim 7, wherein causing the actuation system to move the sievingcontainer comprises causing the actuation system to agitate, oscillate,and/or shake the sieving container.
 11. The method of claim 7, whereinthe base comprises an adjustable sieve surface configured to slidablyadjust a width dimension of the set of openings.
 12. The method of claim11, wherein the adjustable sieve surface comprises a first sieve surfaceand a second sieve surface slidably connected to each other.
 13. Themethod of claim 7, wherein moving the sieving container separates thepopulation of insects into a first set of insects that remain within theinterior volume and a second set of insects that pass through the set ofopenings.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first set of insectsare substantially female insects and the second set of insects aresubstantially male insects.
 15. A system, comprising: a frame; a sievingcontainer comprising a base and a perimeter wall encircling the base toform an interior volume of the sieving container, the perimeter wallfixedly coupled to the base, the base defining a set of openingsenabling movement of insects through the set of openings from theinterior volume of the sieving container; a basin attached to the frame,the basin sized to receive the sieving container and to retain a liquid;and an actuation system attached to the frame and the sieving container,the actuation system configured to move the sieving container, whereinmoving the sieving container separates a population of insects presentin the interior volume based on cephalothorax width.
 16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein individual openings of the set of openings are definedby: a length dimension measured along a longitudinal axis of arespective opening; and a width dimension measured along a transverseaxis of the respective opening, the width dimension corresponding to arepresentative cephalothorax width of a representative insect of thepopulation of insects.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein therepresentative cephalothorax width is a narrowest expectedcross-sectional cephalothorax width.
 18. The system of claim 15, whereinthe actuation system is further configured to move the sieving containerby agitating, oscillating, and/or shaking the sieving container.
 19. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the base comprises an adjustable sievesurface configured to slidably adjust a width dimension of the set ofopenings.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the adjustable sievesurface comprises a first sieve surface and a second sieve surfaceslidably connected to each other.